Our History
“The most important ingredient of all? Patience.”
Alastair Gourlay, Founder
Since 1997, Real Patisserie has sold good bread to good people. Founded by Paris-trained patissier Alastair Gourlay and his wife Annie, our bakery was born out of a love of quality ingredients and authentic baking.
While our range and reach has grown over the years, what hasn’t changed is the respect that goes into every loaf. Or our commitment to charging an honest price for honest bread.
1991
Alastair begins his apprenticeship in Millau, France and the idea of Real Patisserie is born.
1997
With a small family – and a very lean budget – Alastair and wife Annie open our first store in Trafalgar Street.
Launch of the original Chewy Brown™, our signature loaf.
2001
Alastair takes the plunge, opening our first wholesale bakery in Brighton’s New England House.
2005
Our largest store on Hove’s Western Road opens.
2011
2017
We open our Church Road store in Hove.
2019
We win Best Food at the Sussex Food Awards.
2020
We stay open through the lockdowns, delivering breads, pastries and ‘make your own at home’ kits to local homes.
Having outgrown New England House, work begins on our new 1000m2 wholesale bakery at Southwick’s Grange Industrial Estate.
2022
After a challenging lockdown build, we finally relocated to Southwick.
In our 25th anniversary year, we’re voted one of The Times’ top bakeries in the UK.
2023
Voted Brighton’s Best Bakery by the Argus.
2024
Our Patisserie team get chosen to appear on British Bake Off: The Professionals.
2025
Our fifth shop opens at Brighton Station.